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Congratulations are in order for Stone Hill Winery
of Hermann and Chaumette Vineyards &
Winery of Ste. Genevieve following their impressive
showings at this year’s Missouri Wine Competition. Stone Hill took
the Governor’s Cup for the second year running, this time for its
2009 Vignoles. The winery also won the most awards at the 2010
competition, with a total of 44! Chaumette proved to be no slouch
either, bringing home three gold medals and four others, and a Best
in Class award for its offerings.

> The accolades
just keep rolling in for the Niche crew! First, Niche recently won
a Wine Spectator award for its wine list, overseen by general
manager BRYAN LIPA. And Taste by Niche
next door just made Food & Wine Magazine’s 100 Best Bars in the
World list.

>STEVEN CARAVELLI, chef de cuisine at Sleek,
HUBERT KELLER’s upscale steakhouse at Lumière
Place, has signed on as executive chef of Araka in Clayton.
Araka
management says he’ll be in place mid-August.

> The tapas
trend has finally taken hold in Kirkwood. One 19 North Tapas Wine
Bar opened June 26 at (of course) 119 N. Kirkwood
Road. Co-owner (along with wife ELLEN) PAT CARR
says he always thought the concept would be a perfect fit for the
area, which has never hosted a tapas eatery before. So far his
hunch has been on the money. “We’re getting busier all the time,”
Carr says. In addition to delicious small plates, the restaurant
features 30 different wines.

> Despite the
harsh economy, several area restaurants are in full expansion mode.
Lola, which opened just a scant six months ago
downtown at 500 N. 14th St., is absorbing the the property adjacent
to it and remaking it into a combination absinthe lounge and casual
dining area. Co-owner CHRIS HANSEN says the new
space should be open around Aug. 1. Future plans include a rooftop
deck. Nadoz Euro
Bakery Cafe at The Boulevard in Richmond Heights is
also going big. Kathy Becker of Steven Becker Fine Dining, which
operates the cafe, says it’s “very close” to taking over the former
Cold Stone Creamery location next door. The new space will be used
for private functions during the day and will transform into a wine
bar at night. If all goes according to plan, look for a fall
opening. And Cafe
Ventana, at 3919 West Pine Blvd., has taken
1,800-square-feet next door to it and crafted a multifunctional
space that should open by mid-August.

> Looking to
expand your culinary skills and support some great causes? Then
check out L’Ecole
Culinare’s Kitchen With A Mission classes. Each
session is open to the public and taught by an instructor from the
school. Part of the proceeds from each class benefit a specific
local charity. More information is available at lecoleculinaire.com.

>Overlook Farm in
Clarksville, Mo., is hosting a barbecue extravaganza August 6-8.
Dubbed “Dr. Brownstone’s Sweet Summer Luv Luv Festival & BBQ
Cookoff,” the event will feature amateur and pro barbecue teams
squaring off for cash and prizes, as well as barbecue demos by
renowned fire-cooking experts. More at overlookfarmmo.com.